Contact Allergy?

Hi,

I went to my doctor a month ago with a round red mark not quite as large as a quarter. It was flat, not itchy, just burned a little. My doctor took a look and said it looked like contact allergy. I was told to put some cortisone cream on it. It is a month later and it is still there. However, it cleared in the middle and spread on the outside to an irregular shape.
This is the only spot thar I have. I have a cockatiel that walked on my chest and has scratche me with it's claws. I don't know if that could be connected.
Any insight in this would be greatly appreciated. I have made another appointment since this is not going away.

Thanks!

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

It could be fungus ("ringworm.")  Cortisone would make that spread.  Your doctor may want to take a fungus culture and treat you with an antifungal cream.  I doubt the cockatiel scratch is directly related, but if your rash doesn't go away, the doctor might want to investigate that.  However, I think some garden-variety problem like fungus is more likely and very treatable.

Take care.

Dr. Rockoff

[Karencares]

Hi Reggie:
I had exactly the same thing last summer...actually in May.  My cockatiel was on my shoulder, went down my left arm, scratching and leaving his footprint.  Within 3 days, I had a round red ring.  This went on for about 3 months, and kept getting bigger.  Our son also had ringworm, so I tried treating it with his cream--something in a yellow and white tube.  It took forever to clear up and I should have gone to the dermatologist--when I finally did..he said it was not ringworm--finally I stopped using the medicine and it went away--very scary though.  Two days after the cockatiel scratched me, I felt sick, flu-like symptoms, stomach hurt..then that went away.  This does sound very similar.  Hope this helps...Karen